HeadFirst! Theater, HealthSpace Cleveland, 2002
I received a voice message from Holly Hoornstra, Director of Exhibits at the Health Museum of Cleveland, who explained that she wanted a very large human head, and laughed. I returned the call, and learned that this was a very real project: The 32'H x 33.5'D fabric head was to become the HeadFirst! Theater, iconic symbol of HeathSpace Cleveland.
Requirements of the design:
• It had to fit onto a concrete pad that was already established, and that would not be changed by the architect, despite the fact that the floor plan did not match a human head's anatomy.
• It had to anticipate and minimize damage caused by audience members to the fabric over the years.
• The head’s interior was to be a multimedia theater, with the ability to hang heavy lights and projectors from the ceiling.
• Entry to the theater would be through the neck. The doors had to slide open, and they also had to be fabric.
• Sited in a glass corner of the building, the head was exposed to bright sunlight, which meant we had to avoid light leaks into the theater, and damage to the fabric from ultraviolet light.
Rico Eastman and I made the first 18” diameter model in a three-day charrette, It was quickly approved by the museum.
A second 6' diameter model was made to test the panel for shape and lighting. The space and volume parameters were adhered to, and it remained visually true to the anatomy of a human head.
The fabric used was polyester stretch that would age well, with the help of UV blocking glass. Each panel was made with a single interior skin of light block fabric (good at blocking light, but not very attractive) and a pillowcase second skin of polyester stretch fabric, for its aesthetic qualities.
The fabric panels were attached to standoffs mounted to the internal structural truss. This method simplified the installation, and made it easier to remove and repair any panel in case of damage. The structural truss, which supported all the panels, as well as lights and sound equipment, was engineered by Albert Schepers Engineering Limited, and built by Penn Fabrication, both of Windsor, Canada.
Finally, three sliding doors with curved radii were built, an 8’H x 15'W nesting system, with fabric membranes and stainless steel perimeter frames, for easy handling.
The theater was a success with the children, who were invited into the fantastic head, educated and entertained by the light show on the fabric "synapses" in the interior.
